Army's triple option to test Wisconsin's vaunted run defense

Published Oct. 14, 2021 3:31 p.m. ET

Associated Press

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — No team in the country runs the ball a greater percentage of the time than Army. No team does a better job of stopping the run than Wisconsin.

That sets up an intriguing matchup Saturday night when Wisconsin (2-3) attempts to stop Army’s triple-option attack. Army (4-1) will be attempting to beat a Power Five team for the first time

“The opportunity is obvious,” Army coach Jeff Monken said. “Our kids will just be excited to have the opportunity to play a team like that, a team that I know they grew up watching.”

Army has run the ball on 90.8% of its snaps and has averaged 318.2 yards rushing,

and

Neither team has seen anything quite like what it will be facing Saturday. Wisconsin defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard said he started preparing his players for Army’s triple option as far back as this spring.

“It’s almost like we have two defenses,” Wisconsin defensive end Matt Henningsen said. “We have our base defense, and then we have our defense for Army week.”

The Badgers are hoping that extra practice pays off. They’ve seen enough of Army’s offense to know they’re facing something unique.

“It’s something you’re not used to seeing,” Wisconsin linebacker Jack Sanborn said. “Everybody thinks that it’s just the normal triple option, but they can do so many different things off of it, so many different variations.”

Army’s challenge is dealing with a step up in competition. The Black Knights,

While the game could come down to how well Army’s triple option fares against Wisconsin’s vaunted run defense, the matchup between Wisconsin’s running game and Army’s defense also bears watching.

Wisconsin is coming off arguably its best performance of the year, as the Badgers recorded their first shutout and rushed for a season-high 391 yards in a

Army ranks third nationally in run defense. The Black Knights have allowed just 54 yards rushing per game and 2.41 yards per carry.

ANOTHER CHANCE

Although Army hasn’t beaten a Power Five team since 2017, the Black Knights have come close.

and

Army enters Saturday's game as a 13 1/2-point underdog,

NO MORE BERGER

Sunday, leaving the Badgers without their top rusher from last season.

But the Badgers still have plenty of firepower in the backfield with Clemson transfer Chez Mellusi and

ARMY’S QB SITUATION

The off week gave Army quarterback Christian Anderson some more time to recover after he missed the Ball State game with a shoulder injury, but that doesn't necessarily mean he will be back Saturday. Tyhier Tyler started in Anderson's place against Ball State.

“This week with Christian getting nursed back to health, we've actually gotten him into practice, and he's been able to take some reps with us,” Monken said. “Tyhier's gotten really most of them with the ones, shared by Jabari Laws."

SIZE DISCREPANCY

Army’s starting offensive linemen average 286 pounds, with none of them exceeding 290. Each of Army’s three starting defensive linemen is 280 pounds.

Wisconsin’s usual starting offensive line averages 312.2 pounds per man, with everyone weighing at least 304. The Badgers’ three starting defensive linemen average 301.7 pounds.

STAT WATCH

Each of these teams loves to keep its offense on the field.

Army’s much better at protecting the football, with just three turnovers all season. Wisconsin has 14. Marshall is the only FBS team averaging more turnovers per game.

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AP sports writer John Kekis contributed to this report.

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